spolia opima

American  

[spoh-lee-uh oh-pahy-muh, -pee-, spaw-li-ah aw-pee-mah] / ˈspoʊ li ə oʊˈpaɪ mə, -ˈpi-, ˈspɔ lɪˌɑ ɔˈpi mɑ /

plural noun

1. (in ancient Rome) the arms taken by a victorious general from the leader of a defeated army.

---

Etymology

Origin of spolia opima

From Latin spolia opīma “rich spoils”

Example Sentences

The spoils were called spolia opima, according to Varro, because opim means excellence.

From Plutarch's Lives, Volume I by Stewart, Aubrey

I would fain overtake these robbers that we may relieve them of their spolia opima, together with any other wealth which they may have unlawfully amassed.

From Micah Clarke His Statement as made to his three grandchildren Joseph, Gervas and Reuben During the Hard Winter of 1734 by Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir

I but made the hares double to your coursing," said Hostilius, carelessly; "and they tell me you have won both the spolia opima and a civic crown.

From The Lion's Brood by Osborne, Duffield

The armor stripped from the prince he would have dedicated as spolia opima to Jupiter Feretrius, had he been a general acting on his own authority.

From Dio's Rome, Volume 3 An Historical Narrative Originally Composed in Greek During The Reigns of Septimius Severus, Geta and Caracalla, Macrinus, Elagabalus and Alexander Severus by Foster, Herbert Baldwin

After Dr. Johnson’s death, Barber, his black servant, migrated from London to Lichfield, “bringing his sheaves with him”; amongst the spolia opima were a huge teapot and a manuscript copy of Devotions.

From Tennyson and His Friends by Various